We Are All Made of Molecules by Susin Nielsen

Nielsen, Susin. We Are All Made of Molecules. Ember, 2016.

Lexile Level: HL710L

Poster: 

We Are All Made of Molecules is a novel about two families. Stewart is a school-minded, introverted teen, while Ashley is the popular “it” girl with plenty of friends and a rich social life. When Stewart's father and Ashley's mother decide to move in together, Stewart and Ashley become step-siblings. As one might expect, there are quite a few growing pains as Stewart and Ashley get accustomed to their new situation. The novel alternates between the two characters are narrators for the story, helping to fully develop both characters, and allowing the reader to see both of their points-of-view.

Learning Activity

There are many scenes in the book that feature both characters, but are only told through one character's perspective. For this activity, I would ask the students to choose a one of these scenes, and rewrite it through the eyes of the other character. After having read the book, students should be able to estimate how each character would react to and describe a situation, given how they have reacted to and described other situations in the novel.

Learning Standards

CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.7.6
Analyze how an author develops and contrasts the points of view of different characters or narrators in a text.

Goal

Students will be able to see how two different characters may have a different point-of-view or perspective when faced with the same situation.

Objective

Students will be able to utilize information drawn from other narrated chapters of a book in order to estimate how a character would narrate a new event or situation.

Outcome

Students will gain a greater appreciation for different perspectives and perhaps learn how to put themselves in the shoes of another person.

Original activity found at http://teachingandtechnologyideas.weebly.com/we-are-all-made-of-molecules.html

Images borrowed from http://www.puticlubq.com/2012/01/alicia-silverstone-clueless.html and

https://parade.com/587913/lindsaylowe/matt-leblanc-celebrates-a-milestone-birthday-10-of-his-funniest-joey-quotes-from-friends/, and